Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-05-27

but at last he went too far, and ere
their interview on this occasion ter
minated the engagement between
them was summarily broken off by
the lady.
Captain LIE Marchant never took
anv steps to bring about reconcila-
ton, which, on her side, Cecil Clifford
was far too proud t0dream of, though
what the estrangement cost her she
could only have told. All she knew
about him was that he had exchang-
ed into q regiment stationed in India,
and beyond one other fact she heard
no more of him till three or four
years later the newspapers told her
that he had joined the armyin Egypt,
and formed one of the band sent to
the relief of Gordon and Khartoum.
Strangely enough, the one fact that
she did hear privately-namely, his
having before leaving England pro-
vided for the future of the poor girl
who had suffered so severely from
the suspicious cast upon her about
the lost diamonds-only seemed to
render her more incensed against her
erstwh hile betrothed. -
Six or seven years had passed since
the burglary of Langley, when one
night toward the end of the season,
Miss Ciifford-Miss Clifford still, In
spite of her wealth and beauty-at
dinner found herself being introduced
to Colonel LIE Marchant" by her
host, who, ignorant of their previous
acquaintance, had been actuated by
benevolent desire "to do dear old
Denis a good turn" by making him
acquainted with the heiress.
The old lovers stood for moment
face to face, scrutinizing one another,
the lady secretly, though not trace
of the hard work he had undergone
escaped her, the gentleman openly.
He was the first to speak.
at is long since we met, Miss Cliff
ford"
Not long since we were together
at Langley" she replied softly.
"Yes, when tie diamonds were
stolen. l wonder if that business
will be ever cleared up?"
Just then dinner was announced,
and the guests fled down in solemn
procession. Although Colonel LIE
Marchant escorted Miss Clifford, her
attention was at first claimed by her
other neighbors. But when the con-
versation had become sufficiently ami
mated to allow of private conversa-
ton, Colonel LIE Marchant turned to-
ward her and their eyes met.
"What wretched time that was"
he said softly.
"At Langley, do you mean? Yes,
indeed, it was But was it not
curious how they found these dia-
monds ]" ~--.-.
Found them! you don't say so!'
be exclaimed eagerly. when? Do
tell me, please, Miss Clifford. You
see, | only came home few days
ago, and have heard nothing"
"Oh! it is nearly year since. Sir
James was out fishing with one of
the boys, when his line got entangled
in the branches of an old tree which
had fallen into the river at some time.
In disentangling it they saw some
thing wedged in against the trunk OF
the tree, which after a little trouble,
they fished out. 1t proved to be the
identical case in which Lady Langley
kept her diamonds, and when forced
open there they were safe enough,
and reports which appeared later de-
clared that the box must have lain
there ever since the night of the rob-
berry. The theory is that whoever
stole it must have hidden it in the
river bank, meaning to fetch it when
the fuss had blown over, but the cur
rent swept it away till the tree stop
ped it."
"Curious!D said Colonel LIE Mar
chant, slowly.
eyes, is it not?" she forced herself
to answer quietly, for the strange ex-
preston on her companions face
troubled her, she scarcely knew why.
IL suppose there can be no doubt that
it was some of the servants, though,
after such lapse of time it would be
hopeless to try and bring it home to
anyone"
LIE Marchant looked at her sharply,
aud was just going to speak, when
their host interrupted him with some
questions about the Soudan, and the
conversation became general till the
| ladies retired.
Miss Clifford had sheltered herself
in the drawing-room behind a large
portfolio of rare prints to think undis
turbed over her unexpected meeting
with her old lover, when the subject
of her thoughts quietly came up and
took q seat beside her.
~ cannot tell you how glad | am
that those diamonds have been recov-
cred, ;" he said
$50 am l." she answered. "Dc
you know, | feel as if | were a clair.
voyante or something of the sort, fol-
ever since the robbery whenever
have been unwell, my nightmare has
been about those diamonds and the
river. | hear the rushing of the
water quite plainly" she went on
dreamily, Gnconsciously dropping into
the old tone her companion remem
bered so well. II wonder why il
isu
"I suppose it is because you really
hid the diamonds under the banks O
Langley water" was the startling
answer.
II hid The diamondsl What or
earth do you mean? You must be
mad, Colonel LIE Marchant!'
"No, / am not. | saw you do it,
he replied quietly.
"You saw me do it'll Then why tc
goodness did you not say so at the
tiue?n
because | Cas mad then, Cecil
and made o horrible mistake.
"You thought l stole the dia
monds?"
Hc was silent.
"Then that was why you were 81
keen about that poor little lady,
maid?"
| He nodded
"You believed-oh!-and were try
inc 70 coraop mo oil tho ii y, atj